State Rep. David A. Scribner: Transportation infrastructure continues to suffer as funds are raided

state Rep. David A. Scribner

Published 6:30 pm, Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Recent reports have brought to light the deplorable condition of Connecticut's roads and bridges.

A new analysis released by the White House reveals that in Connecticut, 41 percent of the 21,414 miles of public roads are rated "poor." According to the report, "crumbling roads and bridges cut into economic growth, by increasing transportation costs and delaying shipments."

Last year the Democrat-controlled legislature and the Governor pushed through legislation to raid $110 million from transportation funding to help balance their bloated budget.

The same Democrat officials continue to promote legislation to re-introduce tolls on Connecticut highways. Another layer of taxation out of our pockets with no guarantee that it will be protected for transportation projects exclusively would only lead to a bigger government that squanders your money on unrelated programs and services. For that reason, I continue to lead the battle against tolls.

In an effort to combat the shifting of existing gasoline tax revenue, last year I championed legislation (P.A. 13-277) that would limit use of that funding for exclusively transportation-related purposes. Democrats agreed to support the measure under the condition that the protection of those funds does not apply until 2015 -- allotting them time to sweep money once again in 2014.

With a projected deficit of nearly $3 billion in the next state budget cycle, it is no surprise they would foresee the need to grab transportation funding for unrelated services and programs.

The deplorable condition of our state's roads and bridges is especially surprising and frustrating to people, considering that we pay among the highest gasoline taxes in the country. Why should Connecticut commuters pay more, and in return suffer with run-down infrastructure?

Crumbling roads and bridges is not just a matter of budgetary gimmicks; it is a matter of safety. If we continue to play fiscal shell games with transportation funding, I fear we will not only grow the budget deficit with one-shot revenue tricks, but jeopardize public safety.

As Ranking Member of the Transportation and Transportation Bonding Committees, I will continue to be a vocal advocate for government transparency and a proponent of public safety.

State Rep. David A. Scribner is a Republican representing the 107th District, which includes Brookfield and parts of Bethel and Danbury. He is an Assistant House Minority Leader and the Ranking Member and longest serving leader of the Transportation Committee and Transportation Bonding Subcommittee. He is seeking re-election for a ninth term this fall.